Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Bland–Altman Comparison Of The Lead Care® System And Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry For Detecting Low-Level Lead In Child Whole Blood Samples, Christina Sobin, Tanner Schaub, Natali Parisi, Eva De La Riva

Departmental Papers (PH)

Chronic childhood lead exposure, yielding blood lead levels consistently below 10 μg/dL, remains a major public health concern. Low neurotoxic effect thresholds have not yet been established. Progress requires accurate, efficient, and cost-effective methods for testing large numbers of children. The LeadCare® System (LCS) may provide one ready option. The comparability of this system to the “gold standard” method of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for the purpose of detecting blood lead levels below 10 μg/dL has not yet been examined. Paired blood samples from 177 children ages 5.2–12.8 years were tested with LCS and ICP-MS. Triplicate repeat tests …

Neighborhood Disinvestment And Racial And Ethnic Disparities In Peripartum Cardiomyopathy In California, From 2004 To 2019, Curisa M. Tucker Phd, Rn, Chen Ma, Mahasin S. Mujahid, Afshan B. Hameed, Audrey Lyndon, Elliott K. Main, Suzan L. Carmichael

Publications

BACKGROUND: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare medical condition presenting as idiopathic heart failure. The aim of this study was to (1) examine the contribution of neighborhood disinvestment to PPCM risk and to racial and ethnic disparities in PPCM; (2) examine the extent to which sociodemographic factors and chronic hypertension explain these outcomes; and (3) describe severe maternal morbidity cases and the timing of PPCM. METHODS: We conducted an observational cohort study using vital records longitudinally linked with hospital discharge records for mothers and infants up to 9 months postpartum for births in California from 1997 to 2019. Using the …

Exploring Social Impairment In Those With Opioid Use Disorder: Linking Impulsivity, Childhood Trauma, And The Prefrontal Cortex, Thais Costa Macedo De Arruda, Laura Sinko, Paul Regier, Altona Tufanoglu, Adrian Curtin, Anne M. Teitelman, Hasan Ayaz, Peter F. Cronholm, Anna Rose Childress

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

BACKGROUND: Challenges with social functioning, which is a hallmark of opioid use disorder (OUD), are a drawback in treatment adherence and maintenance. Yet, little research has explored the underlying mechanisms of this impairment. Impulsivity and corresponding neural alterations may be at the center of this issue. Childhood adversity, which has been linked to both impulsivity and poorer treatment outcomes, could also affect this relationship. This study explores the relationship between impulsivity, social functioning, and their neural correlates in the prefrontal cortex, while examining the potential moderating effects of childhood trauma in individuals recovering from OUD.

METHODS: Participants with (N = …

A Scoping Review Protocol: Biosensor Use In Healthcare Professionals And Education, Olivia Matson, Brittany Brennan, Annisija Hunter

College of Nursing Reviews and Protocols

Biosensors have emerged as valuable tools in healthcare, offering real-time physiological data that enhance patient monitoring, workforce well-being, and educational training. While extensive research has focused on their clinical applications for patient care, less attention has been given to their use among healthcare professionals and students. Understanding how biosensors are integrated into healthcare education and workforce monitoring is critical to optimizing their potential for improving learning outcomes, stress management, and clinical performance.
This scoping review aims to systematically explore the literature on biosensor use among healthcare professionals and students in both educational and clinical settings. The review will be conducted …

Exercise Therapy As A First-Line, Non-Pharmacological Intervention For Symptom Reduction And Improved Quality Of Life For Patients With Fibromyalgia, Lauren Aubrey

NURS 502: Critical Inquiry and Scholarship in Nursing Practice

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a disorder of unknown cause, characterized primarily by chronic widespread pain of the musculoskeletal system and an abnormal pain response (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022). In addition to pain, patients with FM report many other symptoms, including: Poor sleep quality, chronic fatigue, depression and anxiety, cognitive difficulties (e.g. memory problems and difficulty thinking known as ‘brain fog’), migraines, tension headaches, irritable or overactive bladder, gastro-intestinal dysfunction (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome and heartburn), and an overall decreased quality of life (American College of Rheumatology [ACR], 2023; CDC, 2022; European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology [EULAR], …

The Importance Of Cost Transparency In Healthcare: Improving Cost-Of-Care Conversations To Support Patient Decision-Making, Christian Abdelshahed

NURS 502: Critical Inquiry and Scholarship in Nursing Practice

Healthcare costs have steadily increased over the years, driven by factors such as administrative inefficiencies, high pharmaceutical prices, and the complexity of insurance systems (Soley-Bori et al., 2020). The issue extends beyond individual patients, impacting the entire healthcare system through increased emergency room visits and higher rates of untreated chronic conditions. Policies aimed at cost transparency, insurance reform, and increased access to affordable care are essential in addressing this crisis. Research highlights the importance of patient-provider cost-of-care discussions as a potential solution, yet these discussions remain infrequent due to barriers such as provider training gaps, time constraints, and systemic inefficiencies …

Exploring The Impact Of Residential Proximity To Blue Spaces On The Occurence Of Diabetes, Justin Acala

NURS 502: Critical Inquiry and Scholarship in Nursing Practice

There is a commonly held belief among surfers in the healing properties of the ocean. Many report that simply visiting a beach has a positive effect on them, whether it is spiritually, mentally, or physically. According to Sandifer et al. (2021) “evidence suggests that living close to ‘blue spaces’ (water features), particularly coastlines, has salutary effects on human health” (p. 1), highlighting a potential benefit to coastal living. For some countries across Europe and Australia, research suggests that living by the coast in Europe and Australia is associated with better health (Geiger et al., 2023). Can similar health benefits of …

Egypt's Mental Health Care System, Monica Saleib

NURS 502: Critical Inquiry and Scholarship in Nursing Practice

Mental health disorders are a growing problem worldwide. While Western countries are more open to discussing mental health issues, this isn’t the case in Arab and African countries. In Egypt, talking about mental health is considered taboo, leading to a large number of individuals seeking treatment from traditional healers (Okasha et al., 2020). There are numerous reasons why Egyptians tend to seek traditional care, a large factor being the presence of traditional healers in local communities, fostering a sense of community acceptance (Assad et al., 2015). A recent study found that although seeking care from traditional healers can sometimes result …

The Effects Of Bipap Masks While In Acute Care Settings, Drawbacks And Alternate Mask Options, Leanne Rider

NURS 502: Critical Inquiry and Scholarship in Nursing Practice

There are a variety of clinical masks used in hospital environments for respiratory treatments. One treatment used for acute care patients experiencing symptoms, due to chronic respiratory health issues such as COPD or sleep apnea, is referred to as a Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) machine. The Cleveland Clinic defines this machine in simple terms as “…a type of noninvasive ventilation that helps you breathe. Providers can use it to treat you if you’re not getting enough oxygen or can’t get rid of carbon dioxide “(The Cleveland Clinic, 2023, BiPAP). To break it down further, bilevel in this case means …

Influence Of The Teach-Back Method On Patient Understanding And Satisfaction, Claire Woods

NURS 502: Critical Inquiry and Scholarship in Nursing Practice

The teach-back method is an education technique in which the patient is asked to repeat back the information given to them in order to verify comprehension. If knowledge gaps are identified, reteaching is then done. According to Linn et al. (2013), patients are unable to recall almost half of the medication information presented to them and recall is correlated to medication adherence. The teach-back method is optimized for improving patient understanding from their current level (Tamura-Lis, 2013). One of the most crucial times to provide patients with information is at discharge, before they take on new care procedures or medications. …

A Unified Response: Strengthening Civilian-Military Medical Disaster Response, Julio Orozco Jr.

NURS 502: Critical Inquiry and Scholarship in Nursing Practice

In times of catastrophic events, the ability of civilian first responders to collaborate effectively with Military Medical Units (MMUs) is crucial for delivering quality healthcare and saving lives. While the military is traditionally tasked with security and defense operations, their expertise in battlefield and emergency medicine in austere environments with limited resources makes them a vital asset during disaster response efforts. Military medics, specifically, are trained to provide care under extreme stress, often in some of the most challenging conditions (Raeeszadeh et al., 2022). Effective disaster response training for both civilian and military personnel must prioritize key elements like the …

Music Therapy: To Decrease Pain And Anxiety In Active Labor Compared To Pharmacological Interventions, Rattana Soubandith

NURS 502: Critical Inquiry and Scholarship in Nursing Practice

Pain management during active labor is crucial for a safe and positive outcome, when delivering a baby and stabilizing the mother during postpartum care. A study in Italy of 30 random women who were pregnant and labored between 37 weeks and 42 weeks gestation participated in a control group and intervention group while in active labor, found out that music plays a big part in lowering a women’s labor pain during labor and postpartum (Buglione et al., 2020, p. 694). Music can shift a person’s perception of pain and distract them from the current physical pain (Levy, 2017, p. 23). …

Oregon Medicaid: Lowering The Barriers To Access, Maya Krueger

NURS 502: Critical Inquiry and Scholarship in Nursing Practice

Oregon’s Medicaid program for health insurance has updated the criteria and more people are qualifying for coverage than ever before. With the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) Bridge program that took effect July 1, 2024, an estimated 100,000 Oregon individuals are projected to eventually qualify (OHA, 2024). While these updates grant more access to services and covered benefits, many Medicaid beneficiaries still claim they are unable to utilize their benefits due to difficulty finding a participating provider. With support and reform for mental healthcare on the rise and the future of Medicaid a concern, researchers have been investigating the effectiveness of …

Access To Healthcare: Addressing Barriers For Autistic Patients, Jess Mcgough

NURS 502: Critical Inquiry and Scholarship in Nursing Practice

As the collective awareness of neurodiversity continues to grow in the world of western medicine, there has been an increase in recognition of the autistic population. Estimates suggest that around 1% of individuals identify as autistic (Dückert et al., 2023). Despite this noteworthy portion of the population belonging to this category, there continues to be a lack of consistent awareness and equitable access to health services regarding the needs of autistic individuals. One common challenge in healthcare is communication barriers with autistic patients, which may arise from difficulties in expressing emotions or conveying information effectively (Greenwood et al., 2023). This …

Improving Effective Communication: A Practice Centered Approach To Language Barriers In Mental Health Care, Cassandra Zhou

NURS 502: Critical Inquiry and Scholarship in Nursing Practice

To move towards equitable mental healthcare practices for non-English speakers, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive review on the current procedures regarding diagnosing and treating non-English speakers to better explore possible recommendations.

Exploring The Impact Of Covid-19 On Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes: Increased Incidence, Severity, And Contributing Factors, Alex Martin

NURS 502: Critical Inquiry and Scholarship in Nursing Practice

The COVID-19 pandemic has had dramatic, wide sweeping effects on global healthcare. In addition to the challenge of adapting care to an unfamiliar, rapidly spreading respiratory infection with unknown impacts on human health, healthcare officials and researchers noticed a worrisome uptick in both the incidence and severity of pediatric diabetes (Prosperi & Chiarelli, 2022). This review explores the relationship between COVID-19 and the significant increase in the rate and severity of pediatric type 1 diabetes during the pandemic, focusing on the impact of delayed treatment and the potential direct effects of the COVID-19 virus on pancreatic function and glucose homeostasis.

Transgender Men And Cervical Cancer Screening: Barriers And Solutions, Rourke Shipman

NURS 502: Critical Inquiry and Scholarship in Nursing Practice

This paper explores systemic barriers and their influence on personal barriers to cervical cancer screening among transgender men and outlines practical solutions to improve access to care by implementing changes within institutional and educational practices.

Providing Exceptional Nursing Care To Children With Down Syndrome, Brooke Glendenning

NURS 502: Critical Inquiry and Scholarship in Nursing Practice

Comprehending the needs of children with Down syndrome leads to a better and safer quality of care, and there is a need for reform within our healthcare system to give workers the tools that are required to provide the best care possible. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the unique challenges that children with Down syndrome face in healthcare settings and emphasize the importance of nurses understanding how to care for this population effectively.

Overcoming Language Barriers: Improving Healthcare Equity For Limited English Proficiency Patients, Carolina Suarez-Amador

NURS 502: Critical Inquiry and Scholarship in Nursing Practice

The effective delivery of patient care depends on two main factors: improved cultural competency training and an understanding of language barriers as vital health components. The requirement for language service at hospitals exists by federal law but numerous healthcare facilities are lacking in support, due to hiring unqualified interpreters and missing vital documents in multiple languages, leading to growing disparities in patient care (Diamond et al., 2010). Global trends, combined with growing population migrations have increased the probability for nurses and patients to face dilemmas from language barriers. Nurses shouldn’t have to master every language, but a comprehensive understanding of …

Guided Imagery: The Effects On Perioperative Anxiety And Postoperative Pain And Sleep Quality, Emma Webb

NURS 502: Critical Inquiry and Scholarship in Nursing Practice

Anxiety is the emotional and physiological response to stimuli perceived as threatening and is a common feeling experienced by many individuals in the time surrounding surgical operations (Gonzales et al., 2010). Perioperative anxiety has the potential to elevate pain levels, increase the prevalence of postoperative complications, and increase the duration of stay in the recovery period (Celik & Edipoglu, 2018). Guided imagery is a nonpharmacological intervention that utilizes visualization tactics to achieve a state of relaxation, and is an effective method for improving mind-body healing processes (Topan et al., 2024). While guided imagery has been found to impact pain, stress, …

Thoughts From The Frontline - March 2025, Tennessee Center For Nursing Advancement, East Tennessee State University

Thoughts from the Frontline Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Nurses’ Perceptions And Expectations Of Patient Violence: Language Matters, Darcy Copeland, Mary Potter, Susan Tipton, Debra Culter

Nursing Faculty Publications

Background: Patient violence is a serious occupational risk for nurses. Some professional rhetoric presents this risk as not part of nursing work, discounting widespread exposure. There is a disjunction between nurses’ experiences and the discourse they are exposed to. There is little to no evidence indicating whether nurses think it is possible to eliminate patient violence or whether their expectations of exposure to patient violence align with the significant risk they face. Purpose: The purpose of this analysis was to examine nurses’ perceptions related to the elimination of, expectations of, and desired state regarding exposure to patient violence. Methods: This …

Impact Of Proviq Process Confirmations And Daily Management Systems On Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection Rates, Missy Thingelstad, Caitie Van Eerden, Travis Scott, Tiara L. Benson, Allison Engle, Shih-Ting Chiu, Ma Fe Chase, Melissa Scheck, Cecilia Malama, Brooke Higgins

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

Problem Statement: Our 539-bed tertiary care center observed an increase in the Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) Standardized Infection Ratio (SIR) from 0.88 to 1.28 when comparing October to December of 2023 to 2024. CAUTIs are associated with increased patient discomfort, mortality, morbidity, length of stay, and cost. Methods: Using ProvIQ methodology, process confirmation cards were introduced in eight pilot units, including critical care, medical-surgical, and maternal-child specialties, from October to December 2024. ProvIQ is an evidence-based quality improvement methodology including a basket of measures from Lean, Six Sigma, and change management. This program was developed by Quality Management …

Expediting Toxicological Evidence Collection In Patients Presenting To The Emergency Department With Report Of Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault (Dfsa): A Quality Improvement Project, Adelene Egan

DNP Projects

Title: Expediting Toxicological Evidence Collection in Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault: A Quality Improvement Project

Background/Significance: Drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) involves substance use to incapacitate victims, with rapid drug metabolism necessitating prompt evidence collection. Delays in blood collection reduce toxicology detection rates, compromising legal outcomes. In one New York ED, DFSA kits (Part B) were routinely collected after biological evidence (Part A), creating a critical gap.

Purpose: To improve compliance with evidence-based prioritization of blood collection (Part B before Part A) for DFSA cases through a structured QI initiative.

Methods: The project synthesized evidence from a systematic review of …

The Swahili Version Of The Cd-Risc 10 Resilience Scale: Psychometric Properties And Factors Associated With Resilience Among Healthcare Workers In Tanzania, Kevinson Mwangi, Sabina Odero, Gideon Mbithi, Rachel Odhiambo, Rosemary Stephen, Tumbwene Mwansisya, Eunice Pallangyo, Eunice Ndirangu, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Background: Despite the central role of resilience in promoting mental well-being, little is known about the resilience process among healthcare workers in East Africa, partly due to the lack of adequately standardised and psychometrically sound assessment tools for our context. This study provides the first psychometric evaluation of the Swahili version of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 10 (CD-RISC 10) among nurses/midwives and community health volunteers (CHVs) in Tanzania, potentially informing the accuracy of measuring resilience in this setting. Additionally, we examine factors associated with self-reported resilience as measured by the CD-RISC 10 scale.

Methods We used cross-sectional data on nurses/midwives …

Mental Health Screening And Its Effects On Obese And Overweight Patients: Quality Improvement Project, Amanda Ivos

DNP Projects

Obesity is a growing, multifactorial epidemic. The CDC recommends a 5% weight reduction in order to prevent potential complications associated with overweight or obese status. Mental health, particularly depression, contributes to weight issues with obese individuals having an 18% greater risk of depression, and those with depression having a 37% greater risk of obesity. Both conditions may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Evidence suggests screening and managing depression in overweight/obese patient may lead weight loss and better health outcomes in this patient population.

Project Goals

1. To improve weight loss outcomes in obese or overweight patients with a …

Effects Of The Vitality Acupunch Exercise Program On Older Adults With Probable Sarcopenia: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study, Brittany Murley, Kuei-Min Chen, Christine S. Gipson, Kevin Gosselin, Jenna Thornhill, Allison Ross, Kennedy Gladding, Beth Mastel-Smith

Nursing Faculty Publications and Presentations

Purpose: Age-related loss of muscle mass and strength is a highly prevalent condition in older adults in long-term care (LTC) facilities. This pilot study aimed to test the effects of a vitality acupunch (VA) exercise program on muscle mass, muscle strength, muscle endurance, functional fitness, activities of daily living, quality of life, and sleep quality of older adults in LTC facilities with probable sarcopenia in the United States and understand the experiences of residents who participated in the VA program. Design: A mixed-methods experimental design was used for this study. Methods: The quantitative phase included a sample of 27 participants …

Professional Identity In Nursing: A Narrative Review Of The Ispin Definition And Domains Usage, Sarah M. Geoghan Marold, Susan M. Strouse, Dan Butcher

Open Access Publishing Support Funded Articles

Introduction

Established in 2020, the International Society for Professional Identity in Nursing (ISPIN) developed a definition of professional identity in nursing (PIN). This definition encompasses four domains: values and ethics, knowledge, nurse as leader, and professional comportment.

Objective

This narrative review aimed to summarize and synthesize identified published evidence, the extent of discussion of PIN domains, and literature gaps for the ISPIN definition of PIN.

Methods

Sources included peer-reviewed literature published between 2018 to 2025 from CINAHL and PubMed. Gray literature through Google Scholar and ISPIN archived publications were also searched. These were identified by two researchers and a PRISMA …

To Address The Nursing Faculty Shortage, Start With The Salary Gap, Jacqueline Christianson, Christine A. Schindler, Lisa M. Grabert

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Nurses must advocate with policymakers for meaningful change.

There is a national shortage of nursing faculty to educate the future nurse workforce. The biggest barrier to recruiting and retaining nursing faculty is the salary gap between the faculty and clinical nursing roles. Many full-time nursing faculty earn a lower salary than the new graduate nurses they educate. According to our recent research (American Nurse, July 2024), NPs who have a comparable education level to nursing faculty take an average $43,000 pay cut if they leave clinical practice to teach full-time. Even the salaries of PhD-prepared faculty often lag …

Assessing Healthcare Insurance Policies In Mississippi: An Evaluation Of Public And Private Options, Latarsha H. Michael, Brieah D. Hudson

The Journal of the Research Association of Minority Professors

Medicaid is the main payer for maternity care in the U.S., covering nearly half of all births. Federal law provides postpartum coverage for 60 days, but gaps exist, especially in non-expansion states. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 allows states to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage to 12 months. Mississippi, where Medicaid covers 65% of births, faces severe maternal and infant health challenges. Despite its surplus, extending postpartum care to 12 months could cost $7 million annually. This study examines private and public health insurance coverage for perinatal care in Mississippi. This involves analyzing how different insurance policies address the …